Now Jennifer Lopez Has Officially Quit American Idol. You Might Fight Me On What I Think She Should Do Next, But Hear Me Out

Before I get to what Jennifer might do next, can I just state the obvious? It's time to cancel American Idol. I know better than anyone that the show's been limping along--I watched last season for the first time in years, and writing about it was like pushing over a tree in an empty forest. J. Lo's upbeat, nurturing presence was one of the best parts--Steven, too, held up his end of the dynamic deal. Now they're both gone--and no disrespect to Randy or the power-belting contestants, but it's time to hang it up.

But J. Lo's nowhere near through with the TV scene--she's turning to cable. Oxygen bought a reality-show pitch from her--the program would follow her BF Casper Smart and the other dancers on her tour. Then there's the scripted show she's developing for ABC Family, about a two-mom family with a new foster child.

All this sounds great--the lady knows how to churn out projects and make money. But she's said she wants to go back to focusing on movies--and no one needs to see another Backup Plan.

All of which gives me an idea: I want to see a Jennifer Lopez dark phase. On all fronts.

Like--seriously. Let's take that burning movie energy and channel it back to a place before rose-washed rom-coms. Enough, anyone? Out of Sight? The Cell? OK, I don't actually ever want to watch The Cell again--I nearly peed with fear. But I like my big-screen J.Lo ballsy and tough--leave the lovey stuff to Katherine Heigl.

An-action friendly, game-spitting Jennifer would be a cool jumping-off point for a movie franchise built around a lady who's got all the fire of Katniss or Bella but who's slightly older (uhm, like most of us), without a trace of teen uncertainty.

Then take that over to the music side--I'm never not going to download the new Jennifer Lopez single, but I wouldn't mind seeing her strip everything down and start over. Let Pitbull etc. take an album off, and just do something with that pure vocal power. Kinda like a Beyonce 4 situation.

I figure with talent this huge--and a perfume line that's up to 18 fragrances--she can afford to take some risks.